North Korea Issues New Warning

North Korea says it will use its nuclear weapons both to defend itself
and as an offense against those who seek to attack the country.

An
editorial published Tuesday in North Korea's state-run Minju Joson
newspaper says its nuclear arsenal will be a strong deterrent against
any enemies, and will also be used to carry out what it called a
"merciless offensive" against those who violate the country's dignity
and sovereignty.

The latest threats from the reclusive communist
nation came as the five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council - the United States, Britain, France, China and Russia - met with
Japanese and South Korean officials to negotiate a new resolution in
response to Pyongyang's recent nuclear test.

U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Susan Rice said after Tuesday's meeting that
the parties are making progress in their negotiations and a new
resolution is expected "relatively soon." She declined to say when
negotiations will conclude or what proposals are under consideration.

Measures
under discussion reportedly include new restrictions on North Korea's
trade and financial dealings with the outside world, as well as an
expanded arms embargo and tighter inspections of its ship-based cargo.

U.S. officials have indicated that Washington may also impose unilateral financial sanctions against North Korea.

Late
Monday, a top U.S. intelligence official said North Korea's recent
nuclear test and missile launches, and its political situation are "a
potentially dangerous mixture."

Last week, media reports said
North Korean leader Kim Jong Il had named his youngest son, 26-year-old
Kim Jong Un, as his successor. Kim Jong Il has ruled the country since
taking over from his father, Kim Il Sung, in 1994.

In a separate
development, Russia's Interfax news agency quoted a Russian foreign
ministry official as saying there are indications that North Korea is
preparing to launch another missile, following a series of recent
missile launches.